Music Makers Encyclopedia: J

Click on a letter to choose a recording act (“S” for Bruce Springsteen, “B” for Beatles, etc.). Shown with the act are its major awards (see more here), short bios for select acts (generally taken or adapted from Joel Whitburn’s Pop Memories 1890-1954 and Top Pop Singles: Billboard books), and links to all albums reviewed here at the DMDB.

Album(s):

Chuck Jackson

Hal Jackson

R&B/pop singer. Sister of the Jacksons (youngest of 9 children). Debuted at age 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with her brothers. Regular on TV’s Good Times (1977-79), Diff’rent Strokes (1981-82) and Fame (1984-85). Married James DeBarge of DeBarge in August 1984; marriage annulled in March 1985. Signed a $32 million contract with Virgin Records in 1991.

Song(s):

One of the most famous entertainers of all time. R&B/pop singer/songwriter and dancer. The 7th of 9 children. (Jackson 5: 66-76; solo: 72-; The Jacksons: 76-84). Michael’s 1979 Off the Wall album became only the second in history to score 4 top 10 hits. His 1982 Thriller album, with an estimated 60+ million sales worldwide, is the best-selling album in history; it was the first album to score 7 top 10 hits. His 1987 Bad album was the 1st to score 5 #1 songs.

Album(s):

The DMDB Blog:

Trumpeter who played with Ben Pollack (35-36) before achieving fame with Benny Goodman (36-38) and starting his own band (38-53?). His band, which featured Frank Sinatra in the early days, became one of the most popular bands of the 1940s. Built around his trumpet and featured singers, the band also included Juan Tizol (trombonist: 45), Buddy Rich (d: 50s), and arrangers Ray Conniff and Neal Hefti. Married to movie star Betty Grable.

Song(s):

Rock group from San Francisco, CA. Jefferson Airplane evolved into Jefferson Starship with Kanter, Slick, Creach, and Freiberg. Balin and Casady were members in later versions. Hot Tuna was a spin-off formed by Kaukonen and Casady.

Song(s):

Album(s):

Rock band formed by Jefferson Airplane alumni Kanter, Slick, Creach, and Freiberg. Balin and Casady were also former members of Jefferson Airplane. Jefferson Starship later evolved into Starship with members Chaquico, Sears, Baldwin.

Pop/rock singer/songwriter and pianist. (The Echoes: 64-67; changed name to The Emeralds and then The Lost Souls; piano on the Shangri-Las’ “Leader of the Pack,” The Hassles: 67-69; Attila: 69-70). Signed to Columbia Records in 1973.

The DMDB Blog:

Pop/rock singer/songwriter and pianist. Formed his first group, Bluesology. Took the name of Elton John from the first names of Bluesology members’ Elton Dean and Long John Baldry. Teamed up with lyricist Bernie Taupin in 1969. Formed Rocket Records in 1973. Played the "Pinball Wizard" in the movie version of Tommy. Elton was the #1 pop artist of the ‘70s; he is #3 all-time as of 2009’s 12 edition of Joel Whitburn’s Top Pop Singles.

Arthur Johnston

JoJo

Song(s):

Russian-American jazz singer. One of the greatest popular entertainers in American history. Grew up in Washington D.C. First performed with a minstrel show troupe and in vaudeville. First on Broadway in 1911 with his dramatic vocal style, extraordinary stage presence, and personal rapport with audiences. For most of the next 20 years, Jolson was the king of the American musical. In 1927, The Jazz Singer ushered in the age of sound motion pictures, but by the ‘30s his career was in decline.

Allan Jones

Billy Jones

Song(s):

American keyboardist who helmed Booker T. & the MGs. The instrumental R&B group recorded on their own, but also served as the house band for Stax Records’ artists such as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and Wilson Pickett.

Eddie “Guitar Slim” Jones

Song(s):

Elvin Jones

Etta Jones

Album(s):

Country singer/songwriter and guitarist. Started singing on radio stations KTXJ in Jasper, TX, and KRIC in Beaumont, TX. Served in the U.S. Marines from 1950-52. Recorded rockabilly as Thumper Jones and Hank Smith. Married to Tammy Wynette from 1969-75. Joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1969. Known as "No Show Jones" due to several missed shows in the late ‘70s and "Possum." CMA Awards: 1980 & 1981 Male Vocalist of the Year.

Song(s):

She Thinks I Still Care (1962)

He Stopped Loving Her Today (w. Bobby Braddock, 1980)

Grace Jones

Song(s):

Pull Up to the Bumper (1981)

Album(s):

Nightclubbing (1981)

Grandpa Jones

Jazz/big band leader and tenor saxophonist. Also one of the finest songwriters of his era (“It Had to Be You”, “I’ll See You in My Dreams”). Considered by some to have led the best dance band of the pre-“swing” era. Gordon Jenkins was the band’s main arranger in the ‘30s and the band featured Johnny Carlson (lead trumpet) and Milt Yaner (alto sax/clarinet).

Song(s):

Musical theatre lyricist best known for the 1960 musical The Fantasticks, which partnered him with composer Harvey Schmidt. “Try to Remember” became the show’s most beloved song, being recorded by hundreds of artists including Ed Ames, Harry Belafonte, Placido Domingo, and Barbra Streisand. The pair also earned Tony Award nominations for Best Composer and Lyricist for 110 in the Shade and I DO! I DO!. They’ve also been inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame and the Broadway Hall of Fame.

Song(s):

White blues-rock singer nicknamed “Pearl.” To San Francisco in 1966; joined Big Brother & The Holding Company. Left band to go solo in 1968. The Bette Midler movie The Rose is inspired by Joplin’s life.

Schon and Rolie had been in Santana together. Schon, Cain, and Castronovo later formed Bad English 87-91). Rolie, Valory, and Smith were in The Storm (91-92). Schon and Castronovo worked in Hardline (92) together.

The Juice Crew

Song(s):

Juicy J

Song(s):

Gary Jules

Song(s):

Mad World (with Michael Andrews, 2003)

Bill Justis & His Orchestra

Song(s):

Raunchy (1957)

Click on a letter to choose a recording act (“S” for Bruce Springsteen, “B” for Beatles, etc.). Shown with the act are its major awards (see more here), short bios for select acts (generally taken or adapted from Joel Whitburn’s Pop Memories 1890-1954 and Top Pop Singles: Billboard books), and links to all albums reviewed here at the DMDB.